Chicago Wolves meet Texas Stars in AHL’s West Division finals

The Wolves enter the West Division finals against the Texas Stars fully aware of the need to play a full 60 minutes.

In December, the Wolves twice had a two-goal lead on the Stars at Allstate Arena before losing 5-3.

Now they meet, starting Friday, for the chance to play for the Western Conference title.

Their style of play should be familiar to both, each team defined by its defense. The Wolves' blue line is anchored by NHL veteran Chris Chelios, Ducks prospect Nathan Oystrick and Thrashers prospect Arturs Kulda. Kulda's plus-47 rating in the regular season led the American Hockey League.

Wolves goalie Peter Mannino ranked fourth in the league with a .921 save percentage, but his inconsistency in the first round led to him being pulled in Games 3 and 6 against the Milwaukee Admirals.

Stars goalie Brent Krahn allowed just five goals in a sweep of the Blackhawks' affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. His .961 save percentage is tops in the playoffs.

In front of Krahn is talented defenseman Andrew Hutchinson, an Evanston native who played at Michigan State.

Texas' Jamie Benn played 82 games for the Dallas Stars before being assigned for the AHL playoffs at the conclusion of the NHL season. Benn had 41 points for Dallas and six in the Rockford series.